I was only kind of into A Perfect Circle because I kind of had to be into A Perfect Circle. I owned, then sold, their debut LP during a personal “cleansing”, but managed to somehow hang on to a few of their 7″ singles. One of them is this white vinyl cover of John Lennon’s Imagine. Released in 2004 as a single from their third full-length, Emotive, the Imagine 7″ is also home to the (somewhat) humorously titled, Counting Bodies Like Sheep to the Rhythm of the War Drums. I can stand firmly behind Tool, but I stutter step when it comes to A Perfect Circle. To each their own, I suppose.
Monthly Archives: April 2015
311 for Sale
So, I made a mistake with this purchase, mainly for two separate, but strikingly similar reasons. Reason #1: I’m an idiot. Reason #2: I’m an idiot. When I initially saw this release pop up on the RSD checklist, I stupidly thought it was a reissue of one of their early singles or EPs, and not a 2-track nub of material released after I’d already disowned the band. That, in a nutshell, is Reason #1. I didn’t do my homework, and now I’m $10 poorer. Reason #2 is a bit more complicated, but just as foolhardy. Because I exhibit obsessive-compulsive behavior and want to maintain the stupid-ass Record Store Day sticker on the plastic shrink wrap, I can’t tell with a degree of certainty which way the sealed sleeve opens. All other RSD 7″‘s purchased open on the right like a standard LP, but I’m not so sure with 311’s release. The only other option would be the top, but I’m not seeing a definitive opening with which to start my blade. So, here it sits.. unwanted, and unopened. 311 for sale.
Oo, Baby-Baby!
If I were to say that Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It played, on vinyl, while the SO and I enjoyed fondue at the dinning room table, would that make up for the sorry fact that I was too busy at work today to research and compile a narrative for today’s scheduled post on Jefferson Starship’s 1976 album Spitfire? No? Well, then, shit. At least I was able to enjoy Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It on vinyl while dipping delicious food bits into boiling broth to satisfy my stomach. Choose your battles, kids.
Rather Be Alive
No, you’re not still dreaming, and yes, as it seems, Refused are not fucking dead. Pitchfork has the brand new track, Elektra, streaming right now, and you can pre-order Refused’s first album in 18 years directly from the Epitaph store. With an expected release date of 6.30.15, it’s without question that this summer is going to be imperative.
These Wings Are Broken, Mister
So… I’m going to expose myself in admitting that I have no recollection of obtaining this album. Mr. Mister’s Welcome to the Real World, an RCA Records 1985 release, contains both No. 1 singles Broken Wings and Kyrie. Wikipedia tells us that bassist and lead singer Richard Page turned down replacement roles in both Toto and Chicago to stay with Mr. Mister, so, you know, that’s something. This, the band’s second album, proved to be their most successful, and is a perfect glimpse of mid-80’s power-pop. (Electro-madness!) Happy Sunday, kids!
Patton Singing Bacharach
I’d known Faith No More to be an enigmatic and critical band for more than 20 years, but it wasn’t until last night that I finally realized their crushing significance in modern day pop music. I’d witnessed many an amazing show in my tenure, but last night’s performance at The Wiltern was by far one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Patton singing Bacharach, and (obviously) NAILING it, is one of a handful of scenes that I’ll be mulling over for quite some time. I went in knowing it would be a good show, and I walked out shivering for more.
Wistful Negligence
This is what I get for leaving the house this morning and forgetting to snap a photo for today’s post… no photo for today’s post. With the Faith No More show tonight, I likely won’t be back home again until the wee-wee hours of tomorrow’s AM, so I’m left to scrounge through the limiting photo library to find something worthy of a few, hurried sentences. I present to you, with wistful negligence, a photo of our collection circa: Wednesday, April 22nd. (Please ignore the antique iMac, but don’t overlook the book, A Wailing of A Town “An Oral History of Early San Pedro Punk and More” 1977 – 1985… essential reading material.)
A Little Bit of Faith
It’s exceptionally difficult not to indulge in the carefree climate that Percy Faith and His Orchestra spews forth with unquestionable fluidity. The March of Siamese Children, The Hot Canary, Kitten on the Keys, Fiddle Derby, and Dizzy Fingers, to name only a few, make this Columbia Records 10” LP worthy of any layperson’s engaging Thursday evening.
Swami Sound System
With shame and guilt do I type these pathetic and shadowed words… I have no idea what this comp sounds like. I don’t remember ordering it, spinning it, nor can I, for the life of me, recall even a fraction of any of these unreleased tracks. The Sultans, Sonny Vincent, Beehive and The Barracudas, Hot Snakes, and Rocket from the Crypt! Please excuse my momentary lapse of all controllable comprehension. This evening’s goal… digitize this album! Thank you for allowing me to share my scandalous humiliation… carry on.
16 / 100
Real Damage, The Gossip / Tracy + The Plastics split 7″ was limited to 100, hand-numbered, screen printed copies, and was acquired, to the best of my knowledge, at a Har Mar Superstar show at the Empty Bottle in Chicago. The Gossip opened up for Har Mar, and totally blew me and my party away, and is a great prop to scratch that electro-garage-rock itch. Real Damage also has a grey marble vinyl release, as well as a pink vinyl release, both with a different, much more produced covers. The more you know, I guess… 
This Time Tomorrow
In 2007, master of quirk Wes Anderson released his “green” film, The Darjeeling Limited. On Saturday, its soundtrack was officially released on vinyl. I’m not entirely sure why the powers that be waited 8 years to release this wispy sound collage, but late is certainly preferred over never. Housing three Kinks tracks (all from 1970’s Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One), the purchase and 5+ hour line wait under the heavy Los Angeles sun were both no-brainers. This soundtrack is astonishing, but from Wes Anderson, you already knew that.
$9.98
Reissued for the first time in the US, RSD’s exclusive live recording of 1965’s You Really Got Me back with Milk Cow Blues (recorded live at Twickenham Television Studios) is pure Kinks gold. $9.98 may in fact be a bit too much for a 2-track 45, but after all, we’re talking about the Kinks here… GOD SAVE THE KINKS!
RSD ’15
RSD ‘15 – 1
So, as each and every one of you poor, sorry, socially conscious chaps know, tomorrow is Record Store Day. Below, to nobody’s inquiry, is my ideal checklist… we’ll see, tomorrow around noon, how well the Groove netted out…
311 – Grifter / Who’s Got the Herb? 7” – MAYBE
101ers – Elgin Avenue Breakdown – double LP – MAYBE
International Noise Conspiracy – Live at Oslo Jazz Festival LP – MAYBE
The Kinks – Kinksize Hits 7” – YeAH!
The Kinks – Kinksize Sessions 7” – YeAH!
The Kinks – You Really Got Me 7” – YeAH!
Paul McCartney – Family Way OST LP – FaF (For a Friend)
Pizza Underground – PU Demo 7” – MAYBE
Rainbow Ffolly – Sallies Fforth – FUGG YeAH!!
Various Artists – Darjeeling Limited OST LP – YeAH!
Here’s hoping tomorrow is a grand day for everyone… so long as we all get our shit!
Decoy
Artist: Good Riddance
Title: Decoy
Label: Fat Wreck Chords
Format: 7”
Year: 1995
A must have since it was the 7” with that Good Riddance song (United Cigar) from that Fat Wreck comp (Fat Music for Fat People). I believe this was one of the first 50 or so records I’ve ever owned. Get ‘em while they’re young!
God Save Five Iron Frenzy
Released on Asian Man Records back in 1997 as AM023 (the early pressings), Christian ska favorites, Five Iron Frenzy knocked out a three track 7” by the goofy-ass name of Miniature Golf Courses of America Present Five Iron Frenzy. I lost interest after their first album, 1996’s Upbeats and Beatdowns, but longstanding fans tell me I should have held out. Five Iron was a great alternative addition to the late 90s ska / softcore punk wave, and this little masterpiece encapsulates an era that would be scorned and beaten in this weary day and age. Better keep the sacred memories locked away in the past where they can’t be disturbed, or something like that. Happy hump day!
Christmas in April?
Well, when you find a masterpiece such as this legendary, holiday hootenanny, The Perry Como Christmas Album, at Goodwill for a cool 100 pennies, and need to listen to EVERY record before it gets filed away into the fold, Christmas just may happen to appear on a random Tuesday evening. I mean, why the hell not?! If you don’t feel the need to question Perry Como’s majestic smile disturbingly placed in the center of a frosted Christmas wreath, then chances are you’ve already purchased your ticket and are strategically eyeing your window seat on the crazy bus. Yes I listened to this album in its entirety, and yes, I’m okay with admitting that.
These Ways are Like, Relative, Man
As much as I loathe Interscope Records and their shady, artist-disrespecting business behavior, one can’t overlook the phenomenal impact of this Austin post-hardcore collective. Relative Ways, the 2nd single off …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s 2002 masterwork, Source Tags & Codes, combines neatly placed angst with melodic and weighty clouds of rhythmic bliss, or some type shit. It’s catchy as all hell, but heavy enough to do away with the guilt brought on by obsessive and repeated listens. With a $1.99 price tag, she ain’t a bad find!
We Are the Draught Beer Preservation Society
Sundays are for resting, so get off your computer and enjoy what’s left of your weekend. (On the left, the 1968 US Reprise Records pressing, and on the right, the 2011 UK Sanctuary Records double “orange splattered green” mono / stereo release.) God save the Village Green (and what’s left of your weekend)!
Bring Back Those Rock-A-Bye Baby Days
A recent acquisition from the local thrifty, this copy of Harl Smith’s rendition of Bring Back Those Rock-A-Bye Baby Days on murky, burgundy shellac plays perfectly at 78 revolutions per minute, and is yet another dime store reminder that I desperately need another (or two) handy-dandy 78 books. I had the opportunity about a year ago to snatch up a few more, but balked at the $10 price tag. I’m kicking myself as I type this. Happy Saturday, kids!
The Prudent Groove 